PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE
10 September 2019
Interviews with Mark and exclusive thought pieces available for publication - contact Mark onmark@equalengineers.comor 07877089036
Equality in Engineering Conference Aims to Increase Diversity in Sector
On October 4th, network leaders, engineers, HR and safety professionals from across the engineering and technology sectors will come together with a common cause: making the sectors more inclusive for all people - irrespective of gender, age, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation.
The one-day conference in London builds on the success of the 2018 conference bringing industry leaders together to equip, inform and inspire towards greater diversity and increased inclusivity in the traditionally white male industries of technology and engineering. Themes which will be explored are inclusive design, digital-detoxing, neurodiversity, and masculinity and mental health.
The conference is the creation of Dr Mark McBride-Wright, who founded EqualEngineers, after years of working in the sector and seeing not only the challenges that the lack of diversity can bring, but also the risks posed to health, safety and wellbeing. Being a gay safety engineer himself, and setting up networking group InterEngineering for LGBT+ engineers gave him the drive to set up an organisation covering all aspects of diversity.
Mark says:
"For me, inclusivity in the workplace is a health and safety issue. Not being able to be open about who you are, because of attitudes and lack of diversity around you can lead to mental health issues and decreased wellbeing. In Construction, for example, an industry where suicide rates among men are more than three times the national average, more needs to be done to ensure that commitment to these issues goes much further than token inclusion policies.
My hope for this conference is to hone in and focus on ways to engage the male-majority of the engineering profession on efforts around diversity & inclusion, centred around wellbeing. We want to get people to think about their own differences and consider how they can support others. We need to challenge the perceptions of who engineers and technologists are, and rapidly overhaul the way in which we approach culture change programmes within our industry."
The conference, organised by EqualEngineers in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Engineering & Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), features workshops and panel discussions on topics ranging from the current ‘state of the nation' to addressing hidden minorities, supporting neurodiverse people in the workplace, and disconnecting from the digital world. Results from the EqualEngineers Masculinity in Engineering survey, which received over 800 responses will also be presented.
Speakers at the conference include:
- Dr Hayaatun Sillem FIET, Chief Executive, Royal Academy of Engineering
- Kate Everitt, Health & Safety Director, GKN Aerospace
- Jenna Randall, Diversity Advisor, Business in the Community
- Laura Willis, Founder, Shine Offline
- Louise Lawrence, Co-founder, Autism Unravelled
- Bertie Van Wyk, Senior Accounts Manager, Herman Miller
- Martin Coyd OBE, Head of Health & Safety (Construction), Mace
- Professor Sara Rankin, Head Regenerative Pharmacology Group, Imperial College London
- Fiona Jackson, Former Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Employer Branding, EDF Energy
The conference takes place 4th October at The Crystal, Royal Victoria Dock, One Siemens Brothers Way, Royal Docks, London E16 1GB
For more information on sponsorship packages or to book your ticket go to www.equalengineers.com/conference-2019
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Interviews with Mark and exclusive thought pieces available for publication - contact EqualEngineers onmark@equalengineers.comor 07877 089 036
Notes to Editors
About EqualEngineers
EqualEngineers was set up to make the Engineering & Technology sectors more diverse and inclusive. Their belief is that the sector lacks in diversity and inclusion of under-represented groups, which is proven to increase performance, growth and innovation, as well as improve health, safety and wellbeing. EqualEngineers provides a solution to this through training, consultancy, recruitment, media and events.
About Dr Mark McBride-Wright CEng MIChemE
Mark McBride-Wright, PhD, CEng, IChemE is a recognised diversity and inclusion leader. He is Founder and Managing Director of EqualEngineers, a company focused on connecting inclusive employers with diverse talent in the engineering and technology sectors and offering a wide array of D&I consultancy services alongside annual careers fairs and networking events. He is also Chair and Co-Founder of InterEngineering, a non-profit industry body that connects, informs and empowers LGBT+ engineers and supporters with a membership of over 1,000 engineers across 6 regional groups across the UK. Mark is Founding Member of the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group for the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), External Advisor to the Metropolitan Police, sitting on their Strategic Inclusion Diversity & Equality (STRIDE) Board, Diversity Board Member for the University of Kent, and Advisory Member to the Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
In recognition of his diversity work, Mark won the coveted 'Corporate Rising Star' award at the 2016 British LGBT Awards and was ranked #2 in the 2015 Financial Times Future LGBT Leaders list (#6 in 2016). In addition, he was 'Highly Commended' at the Inclusive Networks Awards (2015), shortlisted for the 'Corporate Equality Award' by PinkNews (2016), and is a regular speaker at the London Business School. He has worked with many Fortune 50 companies on D&I programs and talent engagement strategies and has also authored a white paper for the UK Government on tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in engineering. Mark is a Chartered Engineer (IChemE) by training with a focus on health and safety, having worked at KBR Inc (2013-2017) and ERM (2012-2013) before pursuing his work in diversity. He also holds a doctorate (PhD) in chemical engineering at Imperial College London (2009-2013).
Awards & Accolades
- Winner 2016 "Corporate Rising Star" British LGBT Awards
- #2 in 2015 Financial Times Future LGBT Leaders list (#6 2016)
- Shortlisted, "Young Chemical Engineer in Industry", 2016 IChemE Global Awards
- InterEngineering, "Highly Commended" at 2015 Inclusive Networks Awards
- InterEngineering, Shortlisted for "LGBT Community Group of the Year", 2016 National Diversity Awards
- InterEngineering, Shortlisted "Corporate Equality Award", 2016 PinkNews Awards